Technology Overview

Poultry is the second most common consumed meat in the world and in Southeast Asia, poultry production expanded 56% in the last decade and is expected to reach 12.3 USD million metric tonnes by 2028. Poultry is an excellent source of animal proteins, and the optimum performance of livestock depends largely on the quality and quantity of their dietary needs.

Earthworm can be supplemented into feed due to its high protein and amino acid content. The technology, iMunno-Chick is a feed supplement from earthworm added with natural antibiotics that inhibit Salmonella pullorum bacteria, the causative agent of Pullorum disease. Supplementation of feed with earthworms overcome the use of synthetic antibiotics and at the same time improving the growth performance of poultry and hence healthier and improved poultry quality.

The technology will interest potential partners such as feedstock manufacturers and poultry husbandry.

Technology Features, Specifications and Advantages

Any time antibiotics are used, in people or animals, they can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance, a serious global public health threat. When poultry consumes synthetic antibiotics, resistant bacteria in their intestines can continue to survive and grow. When not handled or cooked properly, the bacteria can spread to humans.

Using earthworm in feeding poultry animal as protein source eliminates the need for synthetic antibiotics and provide high protein content, with a higher content of essential amino acids, such as lysine and methionine, compared to conventional protein sources such as soybean meal and fish meal. As such, the protein intake of poultry increases significantly, providing healthier livestock and hence quality livestock products.

Potential Applications

The International Feed Industry Federation predicts that livestock production will be doubled by 2050 and witness strong growth in poultry consumption in Southeast Asia. The technology can be developed into a natural earthworm feed additive. There is potential for iMunno-Chick to be included in feed for other laying birds such as turkeys and quails.

Customer Benefit

The earthworm feed supplement has the following advantages :

• Sustainable
• Easy cultivation of earthworms
• Natural antibacterial active compound
• Natural antibiotic effect
• High protein content
• Organic
• Low cost
• Better quality poultry